The Blue Train Impresses in Oman

The Blue Train Impresses in Oman, Turns Focus to the Tour de Langkawi

The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team has concluded their impressive showing at the 2014 Tour of Oman, proving to be active and aggressive throughout the 6-stage race. The challenging course covered 915.5 kilometers along the Gulf of Oman, to the summit of Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain), and back down to the coast for the overall finish at Matrah Corniche. The team’s best result was earned on stage 2, when rider Aldo Ilesic spent much of the 130 kilometer stage in a promising breakaway, then returned to the aid of his teammates in the final 20 kilometers. The team regrouped and deployed the legendary Blue Train leadout amongst some of the fastest sprint trains in the world, delivering Robert Förster to sprint for an impressive 4th place finish. The team fought on throughout the remaining 4 stages, with Martijn Maaskant and John Murphy present in breakaways on stages 3 and 5, then with Alessandro Bazzana instigating multiple attacks on an extremely aggressive final stage.

The level of competition in Oman was top-tier, and the riders of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team have proven once again that they are able to adapt and execute, making the team a true podium threat at the highest level.

The team takes this momentum to Malaysia next, where they will contest the 2014 Tour de Langkawi. The 19th edition of the race starts with a short but technical and climb-filled stage on the island of Langkawi, before traveling south along the western coast of Malaysia from Sungai Petani to Pontian over stages 2 through 6. The next 4 stages will bring the riders back north along the eastern coast of the island, concluding stage 10 in Kuala Terengganu with 1495.5 kilometers of racing in their legs. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team has a history of success at the Tour de Langkawi, with multiple podium and top-ten finishes in the 2012 and 2013. General Manager, Mike Tamayo has assembled a diverse roster of sprinting and climbing specialists to tackle the diverse terrain the team will encounter in Malaysia.